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Jones Homecoming!

Re: JCJC's Leverett adjusts to linebacker position

Moving from defensive back to linebacker can be a major adjustment for a football player.


But, Jones County Junior College’s Demorio Leverett has made the switch in fine fashion.

“I’m playing linebacker for the first time ever,” said Leverett, a 6-foot-1, 233-pound sophomore from Bartow, Fla. “It was kind of difficult at first, but I’ve caught on to it and gotten better.”

“At first, I was really wondering about it, but I really like it now.”

After watching his performance in last week’s 26-22 loss to the Pearl River Community College Wildcats, it’s no wonder Leverett likes playing closer to the line of scrimmage.

He made a huge play with just 2:36 left in the game when he recovered a Wildcat fumble and ran 15 yards into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Bobcats a 22-19 lead. He also intercepted a Pearl River pass on the game’s second play from scrimmage. In between, he recorded 11 tackles and kept the Bobcats in the game up until the end.

“Last week was my best game of the season,” said Leverett, who added he would have gladly traded the performance for a JCJC victory. “On the fumble, we had a blitz called. I was coming off the corner after they hiked the ball. I was coming so fast, he (quarterback Emil Jones) dropped it. As soon as I saw him drop it, I went straight for it, scooped it up and I was smelling the end zone. That’s where I was headed.

“On the interception, I had already had a big talk with the team before the game. We were on defense first and I wanted to be the first to come up with a big play. I dropped back and my dude went away and blocked. I saw the quarterback looking toward the middle, so I dropped that way. I don’t guess he could see me over the linemen. He threw it and I just broke on it and caught it.”

Leverett also returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown against Itawamba in JCJC’s 38-7 season-opening victory.

Leverett said there are several differences in playing in the secondary and at linebacker. But, the main thing is the pace of the game.

“The biggest difference is I always had a nose for the football,” he said. “I like to come down and hit. The difference is it’s a lot faster at linebacker because you are right in the mix of everything. They want you to make most of the tackles.

“You have to take on the big linemen, while back at safety, you have to make sure you don’t get beat deep if somebody gets past the defensive linemen or the linebackers.”

The play of the Bobcat front four ? ends Darrion Wilson and Riley Flowers, along with tackles Joshua Stephens and Caleb McQueen ? has also made Leverett’s adjustment easier. He is quick to give credit to the players up front.

“If it was not for the front four, I would not be having the success I’m having,” he said. “They do a great job of keeping the offensive linemen off of the linebackers. Our system is set up for the linebackers to make most of the tackles. So, I have to give a lot of gratitude to the front four.”

Just how Leverett arrived at JCJC is an interesting story.

He was a standout at Auburndale High School in Florida, but was injured his senior season. He wanted to play immediately, rather than be redshirted after he left high school. And it just so happened that former Bobcat defensive end Chauncey Davis, who is now with the Atlanta Falcons, also played at Auburndale, graduating from there in 2000.


“I had a lot of colleges I was looking at, but I broke my foot in my senior year of high school,” he said. “But, I thought I might not have been ready at some of those places and I would have been redshirted. I had already missed a year, so I really did not want to sit out another year.

“Everybody put in my head I was good enough to go juco for two years. My high school head coach looked around and knew about Jones because we had Chauncey Davis up here. That’s how I knew about Jones. I came for a visit and I signed with them.”

Leverett played defensive back in 2006 as the Bobcats posted a 6-3 mark.

Last year, he was not in school at Jones, but has made a successful return in 2008.

“I had some family issues and I was not looking forward to staying out a whole year,” he said of 2007. “I was just going to take off one semester, but it did not work out that way.”

The Bobcats are enjoying a solid 2008 season so far. They are 5-1 overall and are ranked No. 8 in this week’s NJCAA/jcfootball.com poll. They also still lead the South Division by ? game at 3-1, despite last week’s loss to Pearl River.

Leverett said the Bobcats have the ability to have an outstanding year.

“As far as the team is concerned, we have a good team,” he said. “It’s the same as when I was here in ’06. We are still good, but we just have some guys who need to get more focused when it comes to playing a big game. It showed last week when we lost.

“I think we’ve got good team chemistry. Everybody is together. We just need to be more focused once the game starts.”

Moving from defensive back to linebacker is not the only change for Leverett. He comes from Bartow, which is just east of Tampa Bay. So, living in Ellisville has been quite a bit different than living in a larger area.

“I’m from the city and used to city life, so it’s kind of slow for me,” he said. “I just had to find things that I like to do to make it fun for me. I have had to learn how to live in a different environment. But, I’ve made some new friends and I’ve enjoyed it.”

The Bobcats will be trying to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Pearl River when they take the field at 2 p.m. on Saturday against the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears. It will be Homecoming at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field and Leverett expects a good effort by his team.

“We need to practice and get ready mentally and physically,” he said. “We know we have the physical talent. But, the mental part is the key. Most of the big plays we are giving up are because of mental mistakes. We are beating ourselves.

“We’ve got Homecoming against Southwest this week and they’ve lost some games. But, they’ve got some good athletes and if we go in thinking we own them, we could come up short. We have to play our game on both sides of the ball, get to clicking and we can’t be beat.”

Leverett is enjoying his stint as a Bobcat linebacker. He credits JCJC linebacker coach Picasso Nelson with helping him learn his new position.


“Coach Nelson has an analogy for everything,” quipped Leverett. “He can have you laughing. Outside of football, he is like one of us and one of the team. But, when it comes to business, whether it’s in the weight room or on the field, it’s all about business. He’s not laughing or smiling or joking a lot then.

“He is one of the best coaches I have ever played for, no matter the position. He is going to stay on you in practice and during the game.”

After leaving JCJC, Leverett will definitely play at the next level. He hopes to sign a Division I scholarship and enroll at a senior college for the spring semester.

“I am looking forward to passing my classes and graduating in December,” said Leverett, who is a business administration major. “I have a couple of offers. Troy, Oklahoma State and Auburn are some of the schools looking at me.

“Wherever God sends me, that’s where I will go.”
 
Re: JCJC's Leverett adjusts to linebacker position

Moving from defensive back to linebacker can be a major adjustment for a football player.


But, Jones County Junior College’s Demorio Leverett has made the switch in fine fashion.

“I’m playing linebacker for the first time ever,” said Leverett, a 6-foot-1, 233-pound sophomore from Bartow, Fla. “It was kind of difficult at first, but I’ve caught on to it and gotten better.”

“At first, I was really wondering about it, but I really like it now.”

After watching his performance in last week’s 26-22 loss to the Pearl River Community College Wildcats, it’s no wonder Leverett likes playing closer to the line of scrimmage.

He made a huge play with just 2:36 left in the game when he recovered a Wildcat fumble and ran 15 yards into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Bobcats a 22-19 lead. He also intercepted a Pearl River pass on the game’s second play from scrimmage. In between, he recorded 11 tackles and kept the Bobcats in the game up until the end.

“Last week was my best game of the season,” said Leverett, who added he would have gladly traded the performance for a JCJC victory. “On the fumble, we had a blitz called. I was coming off the corner after they hiked the ball. I was coming so fast, he (quarterback Emil Jones) dropped it. As soon as I saw him drop it, I went straight for it, scooped it up and I was smelling the end zone. That’s where I was headed.

“On the interception, I had already had a big talk with the team before the game. We were on defense first and I wanted to be the first to come up with a big play. I dropped back and my dude went away and blocked. I saw the quarterback looking toward the middle, so I dropped that way. I don’t guess he could see me over the linemen. He threw it and I just broke on it and caught it.”

Leverett also returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown against Itawamba in JCJC’s 38-7 season-opening victory.

Leverett said there are several differences in playing in the secondary and at linebacker. But, the main thing is the pace of the game.

“The biggest difference is I always had a nose for the football,” he said. “I like to come down and hit. The difference is it’s a lot faster at linebacker because you are right in the mix of everything. They want you to make most of the tackles.

“You have to take on the big linemen, while back at safety, you have to make sure you don’t get beat deep if somebody gets past the defensive linemen or the linebackers.”

The play of the Bobcat front four ? ends Darrion Wilson and Riley Flowers, along with tackles Joshua Stephens and Caleb McQueen ? has also made Leverett’s adjustment easier. He is quick to give credit to the players up front.

“If it was not for the front four, I would not be having the success I’m having,” he said. “They do a great job of keeping the offensive linemen off of the linebackers. Our system is set up for the linebackers to make most of the tackles. So, I have to give a lot of gratitude to the front four.”

Just how Leverett arrived at JCJC is an interesting story.

He was a standout at Auburndale High School in Florida, but was injured his senior season. He wanted to play immediately, rather than be redshirted after he left high school. And it just so happened that former Bobcat defensive end Chauncey Davis, who is now with the Atlanta Falcons, also played at Auburndale, graduating from there in 2000.


“I had a lot of colleges I was looking at, but I broke my foot in my senior year of high school,” he said. “But, I thought I might not have been ready at some of those places and I would have been redshirted. I had already missed a year, so I really did not want to sit out another year.

“Everybody put in my head I was good enough to go juco for two years. My high school head coach looked around and knew about Jones because we had Chauncey Davis up here. That’s how I knew about Jones. I came for a visit and I signed with them.”

Leverett played defensive back in 2006 as the Bobcats posted a 6-3 mark.

Last year, he was not in school at Jones, but has made a successful return in 2008.

“I had some family issues and I was not looking forward to staying out a whole year,” he said of 2007. “I was just going to take off one semester, but it did not work out that way.”

The Bobcats are enjoying a solid 2008 season so far. They are 5-1 overall and are ranked No. 8 in this week’s NJCAA/jcfootball.com poll. They also still lead the South Division by ? game at 3-1, despite last week’s loss to Pearl River.

Leverett said the Bobcats have the ability to have an outstanding year.

“As far as the team is concerned, we have a good team,” he said. “It’s the same as when I was here in ’06. We are still good, but we just have some guys who need to get more focused when it comes to playing a big game. It showed last week when we lost.

“I think we’ve got good team chemistry. Everybody is together. We just need to be more focused once the game starts.”

Moving from defensive back to linebacker is not the only change for Leverett. He comes from Bartow, which is just east of Tampa Bay. So, living in Ellisville has been quite a bit different than living in a larger area.

“I’m from the city and used to city life, so it’s kind of slow for me,” he said. “I just had to find things that I like to do to make it fun for me. I have had to learn how to live in a different environment. But, I’ve made some new friends and I’ve enjoyed it.”

The Bobcats will be trying to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Pearl River when they take the field at 2 p.m. on Saturday against the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears. It will be Homecoming at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field and Leverett expects a good effort by his team.

“We need to practice and get ready mentally and physically,” he said. “We know we have the physical talent. But, the mental part is the key. Most of the big plays we are giving up are because of mental mistakes. We are beating ourselves.

“We’ve got Homecoming against Southwest this week and they’ve lost some games. But, they’ve got some good athletes and if we go in thinking we own them, we could come up short. We have to play our game on both sides of the ball, get to clicking and we can’t be beat.”

Leverett is enjoying his stint as a Bobcat linebacker. He credits JCJC linebacker coach Picasso Nelson with helping him learn his new position.


“Coach Nelson has an analogy for everything,” quipped Leverett. “He can have you laughing. Outside of football, he is like one of us and one of the team. But, when it comes to business, whether it’s in the weight room or on the field, it’s all about business. He’s not laughing or smiling or joking a lot then.

“He is one of the best coaches I have ever played for, no matter the position. He is going to stay on you in practice and during the game.”

After leaving JCJC, Leverett will definitely play at the next level. He hopes to sign a Division I scholarship and enroll at a senior college for the spring semester.

“I am looking forward to passing my classes and graduating in December,” said Leverett, who is a business administration major. “I have a couple of offers. Troy, Oklahoma State and Auburn are some of the schools looking at me.

“Wherever God sends me, that’s where I will go.”
 
Re: Bobcats host Bears in Homecoming clash

Eddie Pierce is not asking for too much for a Homecoming present this weekend.


All the head football coach of the Jones County Junior College Bobcats wants is one thing: A victory.

“We have not won a Homecoming game since I’ve been the head coach,” said Pierce, earlier this week. “I would really like to win a Homecoming game. There will be a lot of people on campus and we will have a big crowd.

“But, we just need to win… period.”

The Bobcats, ranked No. 8 in the latest NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll, will host the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.

In Pierce’s first Homecoming as head coach, the Bobcats dropped a 28-24 decision to Pearl River Community College. Last year, they fell 20-14 to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

This year, the Bobcats will enter the weekend fresh off a tough, 26-22 loss to Pearl River.

Jones trailed for most of the game, but took the lead at 22-19 with 2:36 remaining when linebacker Demorio Leverett scooped up a Wildcat fumble and ran 15 yards for a touchdown.

However, Pearl River came right back and drove 75 yards in just five plays to score the game-winning touchdown with 1:02 left to play.

Pierce said it was a frustrating way to end the game.

“We had our shot to win and you always hope you have a shot in the fourth quarter,” said Pierce. “We just could not get it done. That’s about it in a nutshell. It was a sickening loss because you never want to lose to your rivals.

“I hate it for the kids and coaches, but we did not get it done. It was a group effort.”

There were several bright spots for the Bobcats in the game.

Leverett ended the contest with 11 tackles and an interception, in addition to the fumble recovery. Defensive end Darrion Wilson returned an interception 18 yards for a score and freshman linebacker Ramon Blakeney had a fumble recovery.

Quarterback Early James threw for 212 yards and accounted for 246 yards of total offense. Tristan Purifoy had three catches for 73 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown pass, and Anthony Jackson had four catches for 41 yards.

But, the Bobcats also lost a pair of fumbles and could not come up with the clutch play when they needed it.


“We just made too many mental errors to win that game,” he said. “You just can’t make mental mistakes in the sixth game of the year that will cost you a game. I am not taking anything away from Pearl River because they have a good football team and they had a great plan against us.

“They did a great job.”

Still, the Bobcats lead the South Division at 3-1 and can make the playoffs if they win their remaining games. They go on the road for a non-division game at Mississippi Delta on Oct. 16 and close regular season play on Oct. 23 at Gulf Coast. Pearl River, Co-Lin and Gulf Coast are each tied for second at 2-1.

“We control our own destiny and that’s a good thing,” Pierce said. “You always want to be able to have some control over what happens to you.”

Southwest (2-3 overall, 2-2 division) has improved significantly since the start of the year. The Bears lost their first three contests to Delta (15-13), Gulf Coast (40-14) and Co-Lin (28-0), but have bounced back to record consecutive victories against East Central (20-9) and Hinds (21-9). They have played one less game than the Bobcats because their game on Sept. 4 vs. Coahoma was postponed by Hurricane Gustav.

The Bears have impressed Pierce.

“They have got a lot of momentum going,” he said. “Southwest is very athletic and they are on a winning streak. We are going to have to play well. I hope our kids now understand that they have to play 60 full minutes.”

The Bears are led by quarterbacks Ryan McCall (6-2, 230) and Joshua Edison (6-2, 215), receivers Jamaal Jackson, Johnny Thomas and Johnell Jefferson, and running back Ricky McGee on offense. Jackson, Thomas and Jefferson have 21 receptions each, which ties them for fifth in the state.

On defense, cornerback Roteddrick Cotton was named the MACJC’s Defensive Player of the Week last week. He had two interceptions, returning one of them 94 yards for a touchdown, in the Bears’ win over Hinds. Cotton is second in the state in interceptions with four.

“They use a spread offense,” Pierce said. “They will throw it a lot and run it some. They are a big ‘screen’ team on offense. They have a little ‘scatback’ quarterback and they have one that can come in and throw it well. So, you really have to prepare for two different types of players.

“Defensively, they are very athletic. They can do some things that can hurt you up front. We just have to get ready to play. If we get ready to play, we will be fine.”

Last year, Southwest led Jones 19-18 and had the ball when cornerback Mark Gray intercepted a pass and scored with 2:26 left to lift the Bobcats to a 25-19 victory.

Pierce believes his team can bounce back from last week’s defeat to Pearl River. He says the Bobcats are focused on Southwest this week.

“We tried to put it behind us,” he said of last week’s loss. “We talked about it Friday and we watched the film. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over. I think we have the type of kids who will battle back and do what they are supposed to do.”

Saturday’s game will be broadcast on WGDQ-93.1 FM and online at HYPERLINK "http://www.jcjc.edu" www.jcjc.edu with Lance Pittman handling the play-by-play and Mark Easley providing color commentary. Air time will be 1:30 p.m.


The 1968 national champion JCJC football team is the 2008 Honor Alumni for Homecoming. Members of the team will be recognized at a luncheon prior to the game.

Next week, JCJC goes to Mississippi Delta at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, while Southwest will host Pearl River that same evening.







LAST WEEK’S LONG PLAYS

Longest Run: Early James, Jones, 13 yards; Rashod Henry, Pearl River, 30 yards

Longest Reception: Tristan Purifoy, Jones, 54 yards from Early James; Emil Jones to Desmond Ratliff to Jerry Duncan, Pearl River, 42 yards

Longest Punt: Tyler Caldwell, Jones, 54 yards; Jerry Duncan, Pearl River, 52 yards

Longest Punt Return: Rafael Pollard, Jones, 6 yards; Darnell Jackson, Pearl River, 14 yards

Longest Kickoff Return: Chris Loftin, Jones, 17 yards; Melvin Fennil, Pearl River, 13 yards

Longest Interception Return: Darrion Wilson, Jones, 18 yards; Pearl River, none.




STATEWIDE STATISTICS

Jones is 11th in rushing offense (125.6 ypg) and fourth in rushing defense (94.7 ypg).

Jones is 10th in passing offense (165.0 ypg) and 13th in passing defense (219.3).

Jones is 11th in total offense (290.6 ypg) and ninth in total defense (313.0 ypg).

Jones is first in turnover margin (+8).

Daniel Borne is first in scoring (non-kickers) with 11 touchdowns for 66 points.

Borne is seventh in rushing (71.1 ypg).

Early James is ninth in passing yards (162.8 ypg) and is 11th in passing efficiency (110.9).

Anthony Jackson is eighth in receiving yards (58.1 ypg) and is 14th in receptions (3.3 rpg).

Darius Dear is 20th in receptions (3.0 rpg),

Jacob Chancellor is third in scoring (kickers) with 29 points.

Tyler Caldwell is fifth in punting (41.6 ypp).

Demorio Leverett is 17th in tackles (35 solos, 11 assists), Elliott McGaskin is 18th (34 solos, 8 assists) and Eric Lichtenstein is 23rd (32 solos, 15 assists.




NATIONAL STATISTICS

Jones is 19th in rushing defense, 41st in passing defense and 33rdth in total defense.

Jones is 31st in rushing offense, 22nd in passing offense and 29th in total offense.

Daniel Borne is fifth in the nation in scoring and 29th in rushing.

Early James is 19th in passing yards and ninth in total offense (203.7 ypg).

Anthony Jackson is 29th in pass receptions.

Jacob Chancellor is ninth in scoring (kickers).

Tyler Caldwell is 10th in punting.

Derek Welch and Jamie Bender are tied for 23rd in interceptions.
 
STATEWIDE STATISTICS FOR JONES PLAYERS

STATEWIDE STATISTICS

Jones is 11th in rushing offense (125.6 ypg) and fourth in rushing defense (94.7 ypg).

Jones is 10th in passing offense (165.0 ypg) and 13th in passing defense (219.3).

Jones is 11th in total offense (290.6 ypg) and ninth in total defense (313.0 ypg).

Jones is first in turnover margin (+8).

Daniel Borne is first in scoring (non-kickers) with 11 touchdowns for 66 points.

Borne is seventh in rushing (71.1 ypg).

Early James is ninth in passing yards (162.8 ypg) and is 11th in passing efficiency (110.9).

Anthony Jackson is eighth in receiving yards (58.1 ypg) and is 14th in receptions (3.3 rpg).

Darius Dear is 20th in receptions (3.0 rpg),

Jacob Chancellor is third in scoring (kickers) with 29 points.

Tyler Caldwell is fifth in punting (41.6 ypp).

Demorio Leverett is 17th in tackles (35 solos, 11 assists), Elliott McGaskin is 18th (34 solos, 8 assists) and Eric Lichtenstein is 23rd (32 solos, 15 assists.
 
NATIONAL STATISTICS FOR JONES PLAYERS

NATIONAL STATISTICS

Jones is 19th in rushing defense, 41st in passing defense and 33rdth in total defense.

Jones is 31st in rushing offense, 22nd in passing offense and 29th in total offense.

Daniel Borne is fifth in the nation in scoring and 29th in rushing.

Early James is 19th in passing yards and ninth in total offense (203.7 ypg).

Anthony Jackson is 29th in pass receptions.

Jacob Chancellor is ninth in scoring (kickers).

Tyler Caldwell is 10th in punting.

Derek Welch and Jamie Bender are tied for 23rd in interceptions.
 
Re: Quick start helps Jones win easily

From Hattiesburg American:

ELLISVILLE - Jones Junior College dominated Southwest in the first half in their homecoming game Saturday, rolling to a 21-point lead.


That would normally please any coach. But Jones coach Eddie Pierce had seen four of the Bobcats' past five games decided by a touchdown or less.

So while Southwest closed the gap a bit in the second half, Pierce sure was glad to see his team come away with a 28-14 South Division victory.

"We find a way to let people hang around with us," Pierce said after the No. 8 Bobcats improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the South Division. "We're going to have to learn how to put people away. I'm proud of the win, though."

He has a reason to be proud. The past two seasons, his first two as head coach, Pierce has seen his undefeated team lose its homecoming game.

He chuckled as he thought about that after Saturday's contest.

"It's great to win one as a head coach," he said.

There was no doubt, however, about which was the better team. Jones had possession of the football eight times in the first half, and all eight times the Bobcats reached Southwest territory, scoring three touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Southwest (2-4, 2-3) - on its eight possessions - got into Jones territory only once, getting only to the 43-yard line that time.

"Our defense really got after them the first half," Pierce said. "Southwest has got some big-play guys, but offensively, we made a couple of big plays of our own."

The biggest defensive play for Jones came with 8:04 to go in the first quarter, when defensive back Elliott McGaskin intercepted a pass thrown by Southwest quarterback Ryan McCall at the Bears' 33-yard line and raced to the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.

"I read the quarterback, saw him throw the ball and I broke on it," McGaskin said. "I knew I had it all the way. Coach says to catch the ball at its highest point, so I caught it at its highest point, and knew it was mine. There was nothing but daylight after that."

McCall threw one more pass, and Jones' Eric Lichtenstein intercepted it, so from then on, Joshua Edison quarterbacked the Bears. He completed 18 of 39 passes for 245 yards, but most of his completions were for short yardage.

On the other side of the equation, Jones scored twice on long passes from Early James to Anthony Jackson. Both times James just rared back and threw long. Both times Jackson went up higher than his defender and caught the ball. And scored. The first was for 44 yards with 12:55 to go in the first half; the second was for 75 yards with 12:27 left in the third quarter.

"It's nice to have him," Pierce said. "He can go up and get the ball. He's 6-4 and a great athlete. We just threw it up twice and he went and got it."

In between the TD passes to Jackson came a James to Marquese Ray 11-yard touchdown pass with 2:41 to go until halftime.

"I didn't have that big of a size advantage," Jackson said. "But I got what I wanted. It's an amazing feeling to catch a long pass for a score."

James finished the game with 12 completions on 26 attempts for 186 yards. Jackson caught seven of them for 160 yards.

As much as Jones controlled the football in the first half, Southwest did the same in the second half.

Down 28-0, Edison completed four passes on a 52-yard drive, and Edison scored on a 6-yard run.

The Bears scored again on an 88-yard drive when Edison completed four more passes, the final one a short pass to Johnny Thomas, who got in the open and rambled 60 yards to paydirt to make it 28-14.

On the following pooch kickoff, Jones couldn't find the handle and Southwest did, but Jones defenders like Demorio Leverett, Riley Flowers and Darrion Wilson kept the Bears out of the end zone the rest of the game.
 
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